LED LCD vs OLED: Which is better? A Perfect Buying Guide

Overview

When it comes to differentiating between an LED LCD panel and OLED panel, there are several things to consider. Feel the need to know? Then read on! Before diving into the difference between LED LCD vs OLED displays, let’s get to know them first.

LED LCD vs OLED: What is LED LCD?

An LCD or Liquid Crystal Display is a technology incorporated previously in notebooks, laptops, and Televisions. These displays were far superior to the previous CRT or Cathode Ray Tube Technology where the displays were far bulkier than the LCD panels. A LED LCD is a panel taking advantage of the LED backlighting rather than the CCFL or Cold-Cathode-Fluorescent backlighting. It is an existing technology and is still famous among consumers.

LED LCD vs OLED: What is OLED?

The OLED technology is a bit newer compared to the LED LCD technology. An OLED or Organic Light Emitting Diode panel incorporates a thin electroluminescent layer of an organic compound which reacts to the flow of electric current. There are two control schemes for OLED panels, which are PMOLED and AMOLED.

There is a fundamental difference between the OLED and LED LCD. OLED displays have individually lit pixels that are self-illuminating. But in LED LCDs pixels get the illumination from the LED backlighting. Now let us dive into the comparison between LED LCD vs OLED displays.

Brightness

For the first category, we are testing the brightness levels on each of the display panels. Surprisingly, the LCD panel pulls ahead. The OLED panel does have particular illumination per pixel. But the LED backlighting offers a much brighter experience. This victory, however, is not concerning, as we will see in the upcoming tests.

Black Levels

It is a measure of how black can the screen become or how immersive blackness can you get while enjoying a movie. OLED displays have unique pixel lighting. It means that individual pixels can completely turn themselves off. Likewise, you will get real blackness wherever needed. LCD panels do have local dimming capabilities, where some parts of the screen can go dark. But the individual dimming capabilities offer a much more immersive experience. So, the OLED display is the obvious winner here considering the review of LED LCD vs OLED!

Contrast Ratio

An OLED display panel has a huge advantage when it comes to contrast ratio. It is a measure of how bright and dark can your display be when you are enjoying a TV show or a movie. An OLED display has the capabilities to produce vibrant colors and the darkest black you can imagine. But with a LED-backlit LCD panel, you don’t get that difference. In conclusion of LED LCD vs OLED, we can safely say that the OLED panel is the victor here.

Resolution

Regarding display resolution, it is tough to pick out a winner. Both displays can handle 1080p resolutions as well as 4K resolutions. So, this round ends in a tie!

Refresh rate and motion blur

Refresh rates really necessary with the modern display panels. The higher the refresh rate, the smaller the chances of motion blur. Motion blur means how quick your panel can keep up with the sequences of a moving image. It is sad to report that OLED displays still show some motion blur. But the perfect potential of OLED displays hasn’t been unraveled. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed. When it comes to Refresh rates, both OLED and LCD panels have a huge array of options to choose from. OLED displays have a refresh rate of about 120Hz. LCD panels can range up to 60 Hz to approximately 240Hz. OLED panels with higher refresh rates are available.

High Dynamic Range and Expanded Color Gamut

High Dynamic Range or HDR can provide better image quality and contrast ratio. HDR technology comes at a higher price tag. But you are getting that robust and vibrant color accuracy. OLED and LCD panels support HDR. But OLED displays do have the edge due to their better contrast ratio and color vibrancy. But the difference is somewhat minimal.Wide Color Gamut or WCG is a technology related to HDR. It is a measure of how the basic colors show on display. With better color gamut ratings, you get more vibrant and lively images. Even in this case, both OLED and LED LCD panels support WCR. But with quantum dot technology in LCD’s, it does have that slight edge.

Viewing angles and Uniformity

Viewing angles can be a concern for some folks out there. In case of LCD panels, if you are away from the center axis, you don’t get that viewing experience. Most LCD panels have IPS or In-plane-switching, which offers surpassing viewing angles. But LCD’s with IPS panels have lower contrast ratios. This is a real deal breaker for some customers. But with OLED displays, viewing angles don’t get that of an impact. So, for better viewing angles, an OLED display is recommended. Uniformity means the overall brightness across the screen. LCDs have something called a ‘light-bleed.’ But with OLED displays, the uniformity is close to perfect.’

Energy Consumption and Lifespan

It is pretty hard to judge the two displays in this category. But we think it time to state that an LCD panel is a winner here. OLED displays are still in the development phase. So, in future, it may be a different story. But there are many companies producing some amazing OLED panel for TVs and computer monitors. So overall energy consumption of these panels are certainly coming down.

Pricing and Screen Size

LED LCD is the clear winner in this category as pricing and screen sizes for OLED displays is still bounded in many ways for the average consumer. The prices of these panels are dramatically going down, and it will continue to be more budget friendly in the future. Some 4k monitors are coming below $600-$800 which are LED LCD. Although OLED panel is a little expensive still, it will come down eventually.

Conclusion

From the review of LED LCD vs OLED, if we had to pick a winner, regarding picture quality, it would be an OLED display panel. But from the view of an average consumer, an LED LCD panel is the better choice. So, you can see that we can’t choose a winner at this point. Only time and situation will tell the difference.